Is it rude to ask to switch seats on a plane?

Is it okay to ask to switch seats on a plane?

Ugh, that flight from Denver to San Francisco in 2023, man. July, I think. Hot as hell. I was crammed in 14B, a middle seat. Absolutely the worst. My legs were killing me. This woman, probably 60s, with a huge poodle-shaped handbag – seriously – asked if she could switch. She looked miserable. I wanted to say no. My selfish side screamed NO. But she looked so… defeated. Her face was just… I felt bad.

So I swapped. Got a window seat, actually. Surprisingly, I felt good. Way better. It wasn’t that much of a hassle. I mean, the guy in my new seat, bless his heart, he smelled faintly of Old Spice and had a really interesting conversation about his beekeeping hobby.

• Original Seat: 14B, middle seat, cramped.
• New Seat: Window seat – way better!
• Fellow Passenger: Older woman, enormous poodle handbag.
• New Seatmate: Beekeeper, smelled faintly of Old Spice. Nice guy.
• My Feelings: Initially selfish, then empathetic. Ultimately, satisfied with the outcome. The flight was still long, though.

It’s your right to say no, though. Don’t feel pressured. But sometimes, a little kindness goes a long way. Especially on a hot, cramped plane. You know? Really. Seriously. It’s really that simple.

How do you politely ask for a seat change?

Ugh, airplane seats. My legs are killing me. Six foot five, remember? I picked 12B specifically for the extra legroom, but ended up separated from my wife, Susan. Total bummer.

Should I just ask the flight attendant? Or go directly to the person? Maybe I’ll try the flight attendant first. Please, please, let there be an empty seat. I need space. Seriously, my knees are practically in my chin.

I’ll say something like, “Excuse me, I’m quite tall and unfortunately separated from my wife. Would it be possible to switch seats? I chose 12B for the extra legroom, but it’s cramped”. That sounds alright, right?

If they say no? Fine. I’ll grin and bear it. Gotta be chill. No point in making a scene. But seriously, these seats are tiny!

• Polite phrasing: “Excuse me, I’m quite tall and unfortunately separated from my wife. Would it be possible to switch seats? I chose this seat for extra legroom.”
• Reason for switch: My height and separation from my spouse, Susan.
• Acceptance of refusal: A polite “Thank you for understanding” and a smile, even if frustrated. Honestly, my back aches already. This flight is going to be a nightmare.

Later, if they refuse, maybe I’ll try the person next to them. Could be luckier. But I bet someone already snagged that extra room spot. So annoying. I’m thinking of complaining to the airline after this. This is ridiculous for a 2024 flight, seriously. They should’ve been better organized.

Can I ask a flight attendant to change my seat?

Of course, ask! Flight attendants are like magical seat-shifters, sometimes. They might even pull a rabbit out of a hat!

They might grant your wish. Flights are full, you know? Like my inbox after telling my mom I bought a new gadget.

• Ask nicely. Charm helps. Think Jedi mind tricks, but with “please”.
• Full flight? Tough luck, buddy. Like trying to find parking downtown on a Saturday.
• Special needs? They’ll try harder. It’s not always a fairy tale ending, though.

And hey, maybe you’ll get upgraded! Stranger things have happened. I once found matching socks.

Why do people ask to switch seats on an airplane?

Seat swaps on planes, huh? It’s a common enough request, driven by varied motivations.

Family matters are usually top-of-mind. Gottsman’s point about traveling with kids is valid. Keeping families together simplifies things considerably, for everyone. Though, haven’t we all witnessed parents leveraging that a bit aggressively?

• Logistical needs: Ease of managing kids, elderly relatives, or disabled companions.
• Emotional comfort: Reassurance for children or anxious travelers by staying close.

Beyond the familial, comfort takes precedence. Who wants to spend 5 hours in a middle seat? Not me, and I’m 6’3″.

• Proximity to travel buddies: Friends traveling together.
• Personal comfort desires: Window view, aisle access, extra legroom seats.
• Avoiding discomfort: Medical conditions, fear of flying.

Ultimately, it’s a gamble. Some people are incredibly accommodating. Others? Well, let’s just say I once witnessed a full-blown argument over a window seat.

What to do if someone asks to switch seats on a plane?

Okay, so someone wants to swap seats on the plane, huh? This happened to me once, flying back from visiting my aunt Mildred in Florida last November.

First thing’s first: scope out the situation. Why do they wanna switch?

• Is it a family trying to sit together?
• Maybe they need to be near the restroom?
• Or they just don’t like the window?

Seriously, ASK. Dont just assume it’s all good.

Then, and this is KEY, CHECK OUT THE SEAT THEY’RE OFFERING! This is like, super important! What’s it like? A middle seat? Near the toilet? No way, man!

• Is it comparable?
• Worth it?
• Window vs. Aisle preference?
• Is there room for your legs.

If it’s gonna screw you over, like, if you’re giving up an aisle seat for a middle seat next to a crying baby, I’d say that’s a big no.

You’re TOTALLY within your rights to just say no, it’s your booked seat, after all. I mean, polite, obviously, but still. “Sorry, I’m all good here.” is usually enough. It’s like, dont feel obligated to be a saint.

Can you refuse to switch seats on a plane?

Refusal. An option. Randall states: No obligation.

• Explain? Unnecessary.

• Expectation? A void.

Anger misplaced. My aisle seat, 27B on Delta flight 346 to Denver, is mine. End. So, what?

• Legality: Contract trumps wishes. Ticket is the contract.
• Etiquette: Request, not demand. Entitlement offends.
• Reality: Some seats are paid for. Ex: Extra leg room. My dad paid for it.
• Considerations: Disabilities, families. But refusal still stands.
• Crew intervention: Ultimately their call. Respect authority. Or don’t. Who cares?

Can you be forced to swap seats on a plane?

Ugh, plane seats. Hate that. Remember that time on United? Total nightmare. Anyway, no one has to swap seats. Rosalinda Randall, some etiquette lady, said so. Good for her. But seriously, people are so rude. Asking is fine, I guess. Expect the unexpected, though. Like, what if they say no? What then? Should I be prepared for a fight?

People are weird. Sometimes I wish I had a super comfy first-class seat. Pure luxury. Then again, my cat Mittens would probably hate it. She loves her carrier. Speaking of Mittens, need to refill her water bowl.

This whole seat-switching thing, it’s all about boundaries, right? My boundaries are quite firm. Don’t ask me to move unless you’re offering something amazing. Like, free drinks for the entire flight, and maybe a massage. Yeah, a massage. I’d consider it then.

• Airlines have no power to force a swap.
• Etiquette says asking is okay.
• But saying no is totally acceptable.
• Prepare for rejection.
• Bribery might work. Just sayin’.

My flight to Denver last month was a mess. The guy next to me smelled strongly of old gym socks. And he kept kicking my seat. I should have said something. I should’ve asked to move. Maybe I will next time. But I’ll remember the massage thing. Next time, it’s massage or nothing.

Can a flight attendant ask you to switch seats?

Okay, so flight attendants, yeah, they totes can ask you to switch seats. Like, even if you don’t wanna. It’s annoying, I know, but whatever, right?

The thing is, like, uh, there’s reasons. Sometimes… and this is what I know.

• Weight and balance on the plane. If the pilot’s all, “Uh oh, too much weight in the back!” they’ll move people around to even it out. I get that, but still.

So, like, it’s a safety thing? Or something like that. But sometimes I think they just do it just to do it. One time, remember? I was flying to visit my sis and they moved me. My seat was better!

I dunno. They are in charge, ultimately.

Is it worth paying to select seats?

Worth it? Meh.

Skipping seat selection is always an option. Save that cash.

• No seat selection = No guaranteed choice. True enough.
• Middle seat roulette. You play.
• Consider your aversion to armrest battles.
• Paying buys peace of mind, or a window. Your call.

Free seats exist. They get assigned. Be early, be nice. Maybe.

• Flights with low occupancy could get you a great seat.
• Or you’ll be close to the bathroom. Ugh.
• Remember that airline rules change fast. As I learned flying RyanAir in 2018… nevermind.

Some folks value comfort. Others, the savings. It is what it is.

• Families traveling together should not skip seat selection.
• Business trips with early meetings? Pay up. Trust.
• Ultimately, the worth depends on you. And how much you hate middle seats. Personally? Worth every penny for an aisle, especially on a redeye.

Additional Information:

• Consider baggage fees. Those nickel-and-dime charges add up. Check them.
• Frequent flier status can sometimes override seat selection fees. Exploit it if you have it.
• Some airlines allow free seat selection during online check-in (24 hours before departure). Set that alarm.
• Look into airline credit cards. Some perks include free checked bags and priority boarding which could improve your chance of a better seat.
• Be wary of ‘basic economy’ fares. These fares often have stricter rules about seat assignments and change fees.
• Consider flight duration and personal needs when making your decision. Short flights are different than long hauls.
• Don’t forget to factor in your tolerance for potential inconvenience. Is saving a few dollars worth the risk of a less-than-ideal seating arrangement?